Social Media Blog Archive
Our Social Media Blog lists our 25 most recent posts. For all posts published earlier, please view our archive below.
St. Joseph: Model of Spiritual Fatherhood March 16th, 2021 - One of the most challenging things about discerning priesthood is often the discernment of the life that…
A Lenten Challenge to ‘Love thy neighbor’ March 10th, 2021 - (Below, Kelly Weldon, director of Foundations in Faith and a member of the diocesan ad hoc committee…
The Return February 26th, 2021 - Guess what came back?” my husband said after work the other day. Hmm, I thought. The mouse…
A young martyr with a lesson for modern times February 18th, 2021 - My father once gave me some wisdom from Alcoholics Anonymous that I’ve remembered all my life…although I…
May We Appreciate the Passage of Time January 6th, 2021 - The texts came chiming in from friends one after another as early as 3:00 pm on New…
Home for the Holidays November 24th, 2020 - Growing up in the ‘70s and ‘80s, I knew the holiday season was upon us when my…
The power of the ‘chosen family’ November 17th, 2020 - Jesus Himself said “no prophet is accepted in his own town” (Luke 4:24). I have begun to…
What happens when we slow down? October 19th, 2020 - The pandemic has forced us to slow down. For many, this has been a challenge, especially when…
God’s in the backseat September 2nd, 2020 - Summer just isn’t summer in my family without at least one road trip. The bikes strapped precariously…
Learning about myself by giving back to others August 4th, 2020 - Both Abigail and Jovanka are members of CREW, a leadership program at St. Peter’s in Danbury. Teens…
If I could but carry your cross… June 30th, 2020 - As a white woman I do not have the adequate words to explain how the Black community…
Exiting the spiritual desert June 16th, 2020 - As what some might term a “cradle Catholic,” I did not spend much of my younger years…
A Time of National Lament June 6th, 2020 - The below reflection first appeared on the Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality’s website and Fairfield University Email…
This uncertain season calls for us to embrace waiting May 27th, 2020 - As Christians, we are no stranger to waiting. The Israelites wandered 40 years in the desert. They…
Where is joy to be found? May 19th, 2020 - Just a word… Sixth Sunday of Easter… May 17, 2020 Each of the six Sundays since Easter…
Do not be afraid, God will always remain the Good God May 13th, 2020 - Faced with this difficult period that the world is experiencing today due to coronavirus, many people have…
Will We Ever Take These Things For Granted Again? April 30th, 2020 - I’m an introvert. I love my alone time and I love my personal space. I enjoy having time in solitude to be introspective. But what I have learned during this time of social distancing is that the more I isolate, the harder it is to…
You make all things new, Oh Lord April 15th, 2020 - Dear Jesus, As I sat at mass on Ash Wednesday at St. Johns, I never anticipated that…
Hopeful Anticipation April 6th, 2020 - DANBURY—A Reflection for Holy Week from St. Gregory the Great’s Pastoral Associate, Devon McCormick: God speaks to…
Wash your hands and say your prayers April 2nd, 2020 - The soap dispenser next to my bathroom sink has the following words printed on it: “Wash your hands and say your prayers because Jesus and germs are everywhere!” As someone who loves Jesus and has also cultivated a fears germs ever since she learned about…
Prayer is the most powerful tool that we have March 25th, 2020 - It’s no secret that the past few weeks have been focused on one thing: Coronavirus. If you’re…
Hope Never Disappoints March 16th, 2020 - I called my 93-year-old uncle in Pennsylvania the other day to see how he was holding up.…
Kairos Retreat: Community is Strengthened through Faith March 12th, 2020 - TRUMBULL—The Kairos retreat program at St. Joe’s was first introduced in the fall of 2018 by our…
Seeing the face of God in the comment section February 21st, 2020 - Having grown up in an increasingly digital world, I have been able to see how the use…
What would Washington and Lincoln think of us today? February 17th, 2020 - Do you remember the golden age of TV journalism when a Yes meant Yes and a No…
40 Days for Life: Prayer, Fasting, and Repentance February 12th, 2020 - “Cultural transformation doesn’t begin in Washington, Hollywood, or Wall Street, it begins with each one of us,”…
The testing by fire that makes great parents — and disciples February 4th, 2020 - There’s almost nothing that changes a person as much as becoming a parent does. When that baby…
Leave the light on a little longer this year January 29th, 2020 - I have a confession to make…my Christmas decorations are still up. Luckily for Catholics, we can conveniently…
Coffee with God January 13th, 2020 - Many communities offer a “meet and greet” with police officers and citizens at a local diner or…
It was like a calling to go and be closer January 6th, 2020 - Going to NCYC was a unique and beautiful experience. At first, I was nervous because there were…
How can we help but be filled with joy? December 16th, 2019 - How in the world can we be expected to “rejoice” today, as the third candle on the…
I felt God right next to me December 10th, 2019 - Katelyn Negron, a member of the youth group at St. Philip Church, reflects on her recent experience…
He’s by my side, always, no matter where I go December 5th, 2019 - Alex Morquecho, grade 10, a member of the youth group at St. Peter’s in Danbury reflects on…
Spiritual Entrepreneurs November 12th, 2019 - Nearly a decade ago, for many different reasons and circumstances, I decided to embark in a whole…
Mary, who made a place for Christ November 4th, 2019 - Many of us have heard about a pacemaker. It is a medical device implanted near one’s heart…
So, what is a deacon anyway? October 21st, 2019 - So, what is a deacon anyway? What’s the difference between a priest and a deacon? How long…
The Stories of Our Lives October 18th, 2019 - The term “social media” has often baffled me. I remember my parents going to the church “social”…
Being Bold for Christ October 8th, 2019 - My friends and I started a young adult group called Catholic Adventures in May of 2018 and…
A response to a longing September 26th, 2019 - It took me a while to fully understand this longing I had deep within me. It was…
Focus and Trust September 17th, 2019 - Most of us will at times (possibly multiple times) find ourselves in situations of great anxiety and…
Lay Carmelites Reflect on Silence, Prayer and the Psalms September 11th, 2019 - The 2019 Annual Lay Carmelite Retreat was held at Enders Island in Mystic, Connecticut on the weekend…
The Great Trust Fall September 3rd, 2019 - I recently was asked to participate in a senior executive level panel discussion on best advice for…
A Prayer for the First Week of School August 27th, 2019 - Master and Teacher, Bless the students who will have trouble settling down this week, whose minds are…
Fly To Me August 14th, 2019 - My little ones, my birds, my praises sing, My glory shines from each suspended wing. The birds…
Reflections from Steubenville East August 6th, 2019 - “Hail Mary, full of grace…,” so went my prayer as I walked up and down the rows…
Being a Christian First July 30th, 2019 - The following homily was delivered by Deacon Paul Kurmay, of St. Mark Parish in Stratford on July…
Who is on your list? July 23rd, 2019 - I am in the Holy Land this week with a group of young adults. We have visited… Like a Good Neighbor… July 18th, 2019 - Within a community, other than the comfort of our families and the security of our homes, little…
Success at Saint Catherine’s is measured in small steps June 19th, 2019 - Editors Note: These comments were originally delivered by Helen Burland, Executive Director of St. Catherine Center for…
Never doubt God’s power June 11th, 2019 - Lately, I’ve been pondering an expression my Father used to have when it looked like the world…
My Church Is Burning June 4th, 2019 - Like many people around the world, particularly Catholics, I was greatly saddened by the terrible fire at…
Fire of Joy May 23rd, 2019 - Ferry Galbert, a seminarian at St. John Fisher Seminary, gave the following address at the Second Annual…
Beauty breaks forth amongst the ordinary April 16th, 2019 - I sat in the hospital waiting room, waiting for inspiration. Well really, I was waiting for my…
“This person knows God.” April 10th, 2019 - “Go to Father Check – tell him I sent you. St. John Fisher Seminary – in Stamford.…
Passing the Faith to the Next Generation April 3rd, 2019 - As a baptized Christian and Roman Catholic taught to read the Word of God by my Mom,…
Remembering Fr. John Baran March 27th, 2019 - Once when Winston Churchill was told that journalists were declaring that by the year 2100, women would…
God’s Timing is Perfect March 21st, 2019 - “I’m not leaving.” I sat beside my brother’s hospital bed. My husband frowned. “What?” he said. “Nobody…
Political views can divide us as Catholics March 14th, 2019 - I’m doing a novena for Democrats and Republicans. For Catholic Democrats and Republicans. (And Independents, too, of…
Food Fast Helps Fight Against Hunger March 6th, 2019 - NORWALK—On Saturday, February 23, St. Philip Church, in collaboration with local parishes andCatholic Relief Services, held its…
The Earth Reflects His Glory February 28th, 2019 - If you know me, you know I love to be outside. I could walk for hours just…
Repeat After Me February 14th, 2019 - I know I am getting older. Most days I don’t feel it, but there are markers in…
“I will bring you to high places, just follow me” February 5th, 2019 - It was Friday, May 19th, 2017. I had recently found out I was pregnant and because of…
Discipleship is hard, and so is a wedding engagement January 30th, 2019 - It’s hard to believe that on January 27 we will celebrate one year of being engaged. Both…
There is no power but service and charity January 24th, 2019 - I am sitting in the basement of the poorest parish in the diocese, Blessed Sacrament on Union…
New Year’s resolutions to come and see January 17th, 2019 - Champagne glasses in hand, my friends and I went around the table asking what each other’s New…
Unity Between the Law and the Spirit January 8th, 2019 - Another theme that Father Cantalemessa developed in his talks at the bishops’ retreat was the unity that…
Serving God and His Church January 3rd, 2019 - When I first began to discern my call to the diaconate several years ago, I knew that…
A Profound Sense of Peace December 21st, 2018 - I looked on in nervous excitement as the two travelers in front of me laid down and…
The Lord will provide December 18th, 2018 - The young adult bible study I am attending at St. John’s in Stamford has been eye-opening. We…
A Splash of Color in the Desert December 12th, 2018 - As it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah: ‘A voice of…
Waiting in Joyful Hope December 5th, 2018 - I have a particular devotion to St. Andrew, the Apostle. Being the brother of Peter, he often…
Discerning A Call In Spiritual Direction November 27th, 2018 - All that we do within our families, at our jobs, or within our parish ministries, begins with…
Thanksgiving with Martha and Mary November 19th, 2018 - A common question that runs in Chrisitan circles is: “Are you a Martha or a Mary?” I…
Exchanging Gifts With The Lord November 14th, 2018 - Those of us who are focused on spending eternity with God in heaven realize the importance of…
The Diaconate – It’s a Wonderful Life November 6th, 2018 - My life changed forever in 1999 during the midst of a successful executive career and while Jeanne…
A Time and a Place for Remembrance November 1st, 2018 - “There’s a cemetery in my backyard!” was a typical anecdote I would tell my peers growing up.…
He Offers Us Healing October 18th, 2018 - As I read and reflected upon Bishop Caggiano’s homily at the Synod on Young People, the Faith,…
Growing in Faith October 11th, 2018 - Thomas Aquinas 8th Grade Learns to Model Christ’s Love and Service in the Community Throughout the St.…
Eternity is Forever October 4th, 2018 - As I get older, I realize that struggles, however uncomfortable they may be, are truly a means…
Called to Serve September 27th, 2018 - I remember hearing from my pastor, twenty-something years ago, after playing a round of golf, something that…
Why pray for St. Michael’s Intercession? September 13th, 2018 - “Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle…” will be spoken, per the request of Bishop Caggiano,…
Flipping the Script September 6th, 2018 - During my first week on the streets with Christ in the City, I was very much getting…
To Whom Shall We Go? August 29th, 2018 - I have been trying to make sense of this abuse crisis in the Church right now and…
Evolution or Revolution? The Call to Abolish the Death Penalty August 21st, 2018 - When Pope Francis recently declared that the death penalty is “inadmissible” for consideration in any criminal case,…
Cultivating the Future of Our Church August 9th, 2018 - “The future is in your hearts and in your hands. God is entrusting to you the task,…
God has a mission for us August 2nd, 2018 - Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to know, love, and serve the poor, the…
“Walk humbly with your God” July 25th, 2018 - “Walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). Somewhere along my journey as a Catholic, I learned about El…
Encountering Christ after the storm July 18th, 2018 - “If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there my servant will be…
Let Christ enter into your mess July 11th, 2018 - “Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when…
Regaining a Missionary Spirit July 5th, 2018 - On Monday, June 2, Archbishop José H. Gomez, Archbishop of Los Angeles, shared on his Facebook page…
Sharing His Unwavering Love June 26th, 2018 - “When God desires a work to be wholly from His hand, He reduces all to impotence and…
How Do We Invite Christ In? June 19th, 2018 - Do you feel stuck in your quest to know God? Have you ever been around a person whose…
I saw Jesus this week, and maybe you have too June 11th, 2018 - I saw Jesus’s resurrected body. That same body that was crucified and rose almost two thousand years…
Christ: Given Up June 6th, 2018 - At Mass, Heaven and Earth meet as the Priest proclaims, “Take this, all of you, and eat…
Rejuvenated with zeal to proclaim love for the Lord May 31st, 2018 - It was hard for me to fall asleep the night before my Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate…
Living Out Our Call to Holiness May 22nd, 2018 - These last 5 years of seminary formation have gone by in a flash, and despite the natural…
The Journey of Seminary is a Journey to the Father’s Heart May 16th, 2018 - “We, for our part, love because He has first loved us” (1 John 4:19). The closer that…
Go into the World and Proclaim the Gospel May 9th, 2018 - In today’s Gospel, we hear Jesus’ last words to His apostles before His Ascension into Heaven, completing…
The Case for World Youth Day May 3rd, 2018 - When I was first becoming more active in my Catholic faith as a high school student, I…
Celebrating One Year of The Face of Prayer April 26th, 2018 - This week The Face of Prayer will publish its 52nd video, marking one year since this campaign…
Making Time for Prayer April 17th, 2018 - “I don’t have time to pray. I’m too busy.” This is the usual excuse I use time…
Reflecting on Gaudete et Exsultate April 9th, 2018 - Pope Francis has a message for us: Do not be afraid of holiness,” he encourages. “It will…
Overcoming Spiritual Blindness April 6th, 2018 - During these days of Easter week, the Gospels recount the early appearance accounts of the Risen Lord…
Putting Our Sufferings Before the Cross March 29th, 2018 - Have you ever been going through a tough time, and somebody told you to “put it before…
“Another conference? Why is this relevant?” March 23rd, 2018 - Pope Francis has convened the 15th Synod of Bishops for this October. Perhaps you might remember the…
Confession: Meeting God One-On-One March 15th, 2018 - As a seminarian, I have had the privilege of having great spiritual directors. One of the first…
Made for More: A Reflection March 8th, 2018 - FAIRFIELD—Heavy winds and sideways hail is how Convivio began this year, much like the first which was…
“What Are You Doing With The Grace You Receive Here?” February 22nd, 2018 - What is a sacrament? It is an outward sign of God’s grace instituted by Christ. I never…
No Greater Love Than This February 13th, 2018 - This year’s dual feast of St. Valentine and Ash Wednesday is more than a mere coincidence. Both…
Abide: To sit, remain, dwell. February 6th, 2018 - I prayed a lot about a word that I would keep in mind during our pilgrimage to…
“But Why?” – A Reflection from the Holy Land January 30th, 2018 - When our group set out on our pilgrimage to the Holy Land a few weeks ago, we…
Saying “Yes” to God January 24th, 2018 - On January 5th a group of “strangers” and I embarked on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land,…
“What are you looking for?” January 18th, 2018 - “What are you looking for?” This was the focal point of our pilgrimage. That throughout this journey,…
Our Celebration is Just Beginning January 2nd, 2018 - I’ve always loved tradition. Even when I was little, Christmas wasn’t complete without going to Mass with…
“How Can This Be?” December 21st, 2017 - “How can this be?” These are the words we hear Mary respond to the Angel in Luke’s…
Hope Was Everywhere! November 30th, 2017 - 30 of us began our pilgrimage to NCYC from the Bridgeport Diocese to Yonkers. What a beautiful…
Living Our Faith November 15th, 2017 - As a member of the High School Apostles, I still picture my earliest days within the group.…
It’s Still a Wonderful Life November 8th, 2017 - I was from Catholic family and attended Catholic elementary school. My friends and I would dress “like…
The Importance of Youth Group November 2nd, 2017 - It is hard to find a place where you can express your faith in high school; let…
A Student’s Experience at Fatima October 25th, 2017 - On October 12, 2017, three of my classmates and I went on a pilgrimage to Fatima for…
I Was A Stranger, And You Welcomed Me October 19th, 2017 - When I was asked to accompany our Diocesan trip to Ethiopia with Catholic Relief Services and Turning…
Fruits of World Youth Day September 27th, 2017 - In August 2016, I was fortunate enough to travel to Poland with my church. On that trip,…
Going Into Senior Year September 26th, 2017 - Strong faith in high school is beautiful and sometimes rare. Joining a parish youth group or an…
“I Love You” September 20th, 2017 - In 8th grade, I was preparing to make my confirmation, and as every other kid in the…
Catholic Education: Form, Inform, Transform September 14th, 2017 - Last week, I had the opportunity to welcome over 850 of our teachers and administrators back to…
Evangelization Through Friendship September 1st, 2017 - This August I attended a retreat in Centerburg, Ohio, called School of the New Evangelization (SNE) hosted…
New Season, New Opportunities August 31st, 2017 - I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with this time of the year. On the one hand, I…
#SundayScripture: Who Do You Say That I Am? August 24th, 2017 - “Who do you say that I am?” Such a powerful question coming from Our Lord today in…
Encountering Christ in the Diocese of Bridgeport August 23rd, 2017 - The first Sundays of my life were spent in the pews of Saint Joseph’s Church in Brookfield.…
#ScriptureSunday: Humility August 18th, 2017 - A mother, out of love for her daughter, goes out of her way to find her daughter…
Hand in Hand with Our Lady: Walking the Camino de Santiago August 17th, 2017 - The most powerful thing about the Camino de Santiago is what it teaches you about yourself. Along…
#ScriptureSunday: “It is I. Do not be afraid.” August 14th, 2017 - What is your “walking on the water” moment? Sounds like a shocking question, but I promise it…
The Lessons of Mary’s Assumption August 9th, 2017 - We were never meant to fear death. It was never God’s intention that we be afraid to…
#ScriptureSunday: “Lord, it is good for us to be here” August 3rd, 2017 - God’s love is abundant. Something tells me this isn’t news to anyone, because we hear tales…
It’s Never Too Late August 1st, 2017 - I was raised Southern Baptist, with my paternal grandfather, 4 uncles and 7 cousins all being Southern…
Searching for Something Deeper July 25th, 2017 - This past weekend, I had the opportunity to attend Steubenville NYC, a conference for teens hosted by…
Clear Distinctions July 18th, 2017 - Following the Convocation of Catholic Leaders I began thinking that I should excuse myself from any church…
Lessons Learned from Service July 12th, 2017 - This past May, I had the opportunity to travel to Ethiopia with Catholic Relief Services, as part…
FOCUS on the Lord: A Missionary’s Tale July 6th, 2017 - This past year, I have had the incredible opportunity to serve with FOCUS, the Fellowship of Catholic…
Peter and Paul: THAT is the plan June 29th, 2017 - The story goes that when Jesus arrived in Heaven after the Resurrection, the angels welcomed Him with…
For the Service of God’s People June 21st, 2017 - It is a sobering realization to recognize that I stand on the verge of ordination to the…
God writes straight with crooked lines June 14th, 2017 - There is a centuries-old aphorism, sometimes attributed to St. Teresa of Avila, that states, “God writes straight…
Graduation: “This is Good. God is Good.” June 7th, 2017 - As my classmates and I processed into the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception…
United in the Spirit May 31st, 2017 - The progression of readings on Pentecost is quite beautiful for a modern-day listener. We live in a…
Why the Ascension? May 24th, 2017 - Christ gathered his disciples around him, and after Christ blessed them, he ascended into heaven. Imagine what…
Take it to Our Lady May 18th, 2017 - My father was the one who introduced me to Mary. Every day on the way to school,…
There is no other answer but Jesus Himself May 11th, 2017 - C.S. Lewis, reflecting on his own prayer, once said, “I know now, Lord, why you utter no…
Will we recognize Him when he comes? May 3rd, 2017 - It happened so fast. “For Pete’s sake,” he said, “some homeless guy just came in here for…
Uniting Behind Mercy April 27th, 2017 - “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy”(Mt 5:7) As a child of God living in…
An Encounter with Christ April 20th, 2017 - I am often amazed at what Hollywood can do with some of the special effects in the…
Easter Reflection: Share the Good News! April 11th, 2017 - In the Gospel for today, it is said that Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were “fearful,…
Easter Reflection: Peer into the Empty Tomb April 11th, 2017 - A few years ago, when I was in seminary, I was fortunate enough to be able to…
Holy Week Reflection: Now We Wait April 11th, 2017 - It’s Holy Saturday and our Lenten pilgrimage is coming to a close. If you have not been…
Holy Week Reflection: The Paradox of the Cross April 11th, 2017 - What a paradoxical phrase “Good Friday” can be for some of us, considering what we commemorate today:…
Holy Week Reflection: The Gift of the Eucharist April 11th, 2017 - We’ve finally made it. It’s the Triduum! These next three days are some of the most powerful,…
Holy Week Reflection: The Triumph of Love April 11th, 2017 - Consider Jesus in the Agony in the Garden. Weighed down with fear and anxiety, crippled with weariness…
Holy Week Reflection: Only in the Cross April 11th, 2017 - In today’s Gospel, we hear Saint John’s account of Judas’s early departure from the Last Supper. Saint…
Holy Week Reflection: Turn to Jesus April 7th, 2017 - And so we enter into Holy Week. Yesterday, we celebrated Our Lord’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem, greeting…
Holy Week Reflection: “I do as the Father has commanded me” April 5th, 2017 - Each day, two desires contest with each other within us. The first is a desire for satisfaction,…
Preparing for Holy Week- Don’t Give Up! April 5th, 2017 - Somehow we find ourselves in the fifth week of Lent, just days away from the start of…
Special Reflection: “And Jesus Wept” March 31st, 2017 - “and Jesus wept…” Jesus, upon finding that his friend Lazarus died, wept. He didn’t just feel a…
Are we there yet? March 29th, 2017 - As with any journey we may be on, whether a holiday trip, a much-needed vacation with family…
Meeting Jesus: One Post at a Time March 22nd, 2017 - “So you just…sit in your office and tweet all day?” I have worked for the Diocese of…
Yes, Jesus you can have my heart. March 13th, 2017 - Here are the things that have consumed my heart and mind in the last week: shop; finish…
“Whatever You do to the Least of These, You do to Me.” March 9th, 2017 - St. John Chrysostom in the 4th century preached, “Whenever…you see a poor believer, imagine that you behold…
Lent Prepares Us to be More Joyful Than Ever Before March 1st, 2017 - When I was maybe eight or nine, I gave up TV for Lent. At the time, it…
Attaching Ourselves to Important Things February 22nd, 2017 - As we approach the season of Lent, it is easy to put all of our attention into…
Preparing for Lent February 17th, 2017 - Growing up in a Catholic family, Lent was not particularly my favorite time of year. The idea…
Jesus is My Quarterback February 8th, 2017 - February 5th was the BIG Day. It was SUPER BOWL Sunday. It was the opportune moment for…
The Presentation of the Lord February 2nd, 2017 - As was Jewish Law, 40 days after the birth of a male child, the mother was to…
Having Faith in College January 25th, 2017 - I’m often asked how I keep my faith life alive and well in college. The answer is…
Behold, I Make All Things New January 19th, 2017 - Another year has concluded and most of us barely crawled across the finish line. Reflecting on 2016,…
The Greatest Gift that God Gives Us January 12th, 2017 - With the Baptism of the Lord, we arrive at the end of the Christmas Season, a time…
Know That Christ Travels With You! January 5th, 2017 - When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from…